Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP) is the lead economic development agency for the area. Funded by the County of Lambton, we have a focus on promoting the distinct advantages that Sarnia-Lambton proudly offers companies and residents. By coordinating community-based initiatives and working to maintain a commercially attractive environment, we foster new business creation, help ensure that established firms remain and grow here, and work to attract growing businesses to the area.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Apr 2nd, 2026
Recent Activity
Summer Company participant profile — RacquetHub
Chinmay Damani of RacquetHub is a Summer Company 2026 participant in Sarnia-Lambton offering racquet stringing for tennis and badminton plus private tennis lessons. The Province of Ontario funded program gives participants startup funding, mentorship, and business training while they gain hands on business experience. This profile showcases local entrepreneurship that combines coaching and equipment services for players in the community.
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Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program
The Rural Ontario Development Program is accepting applications from August 17 to October 1, 2026, offering cost share funding for projects that strengthen rural economic development. Register for free webinars on August 20 or September 1, 2026, and contact Economic Development Officers at (519) 332 1820 or contact@sarnialambton.on.ca for application advice.
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Sarnia-Lambton quality of life profile
Sarnia-Lambton touts lower housing costs, short commutes, and abundant waterfront access, with a median home price of $505,000 as of June 2025. The regional profile highlights Lambton College, Bluewater Health, and more than 140 km of waterfront for families and professionals seeking affordability and outdoor lifestyle close to urban centres.
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Promotion: Video resumes to showcase candidates
John Musgrave argues that resumes only show part of a candidate, and he advocates using video resumes so employers can judge communication and presence before interviews. The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership shares this short video and directs viewers to ExploreTalentSL at http://exploretalentsl.com to see local candidates on camera.
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Summer Company Program participant spotlight
Meet Will Harding of Wills3DCreations, a 2026 Summer Company Program participant in Sarnia-Lambton who is growing a 3D printing business that makes personalized gifts and accessories. The provincially funded program offers startup funding, mentorship, and business training to entrepreneurs aged 15 to 29, helping participants turn ideas into viable businesses.
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Coffee Chat
Coffee Chat brings local business owners together for informal networking with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership on Wednesday, August 19 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Rustic Scoops Ice Cream Bar, 440 Lyndoch St., Corunna. Stop by to learn about free business programs, ask questions, and connect directly with the SLEP team in a relaxed setting.
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Stop Guessing Your Marketing: A Simple 4-Step Strategy for Small Businesses
Join a free one hour webinar with Arianne Garcia of Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership on Wednesday, August 26 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM to learn a simple four step marketing framework for small businesses. You will leave with concrete steps to identify customers, sharpen your messaging, and pick channels that actually move the needle. Register at the short link to reserve your spot.
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Business Mastermind Series
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is running a six session Business Mastermind Series for 12 experienced business owners, meeting bi-weekly on Wednesdays from September 23 to December 2, 2026, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Apply by August 23, 2026 via the provided link to request one of the limited spots and join expert led, confidential sessions focused on practical decision making and peer learning.
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Business Retention & Expansion program promotion
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is promoting its Business Retention and Expansion program, offering free, confidential consultations to local companies. Economic Development Officer Chantelle Core explains how the BR&E team listens to business needs, identifies opportunities, and builds long term partnerships to strengthen the Sarnia-Lambton economy; book a consultation at the provided contact page.
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Sarnia-Lambton Value-Added Agriculture & Bioeconomy Overview
Sarnia-Lambton offers a data rich value added agriculture and bioeconomy landscape with more than 2,000 farms across 500,000 acres, 5.4 million square feet of greenhouse production, and Ontario's first A rated corn stover zone rated for 190,000 oven dried metric tons per year. The region links crop and livestock supply to a Hybrid Chemistry Cluster and named research partners, making it a strategic location for companies working on cellulosic sugar, biomass processing, and renewable bioproducts. Find full details at www.sarnialambton.on.ca/value-added-agriculture-food.
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Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-Up/Accelerator Program – Fall 2026 Cohort
Applications open August 11, 2026 for the Foodpreneur Advantage Scale Up Accelerator, a 10 session program running October 2026 to March 2027 for growth focused food and beverage manufacturers, producers, and distributors. The program is delivered across Ontario with local support from the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton, and more information is available at the program website.
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Foodpreneur Advantage Start-up Seminar series
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership presents a six session Foodpreneur Advantage Start-up Seminar series from August 20 to September 24, 2026, covering compliance, sales, pricing, marketing, food safety, and packaging. Register through the official page to sign up for single sessions or the entire series. These sessions are structured to give practical, business ready skills for launching and growing a food product.
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Content With Intent workshop
Tourism Sarnia-Lambton and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership are offering a complimentary Content With Intent workshop for tourism businesses in Lambton County on Thursday, August 27 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Gateway Room in Sarnia. The session covers content planning, audience targeting, stronger calls to action, and practical ways to incorporate AI, and registration is free via the linked form.
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Summer Company Program — participant spotlight
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership spotlights Lilly Lacroix of Flutterfly Bloom as a 2026 Summer Company Program participant. The Province of Ontario funded program provides startup funding, mentorship, and business training for entrepreneurs aged 15 to 29 as they develop products and grow their businesses.
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Regional economic profile and investment invitation
Sarnia-Lambton positions itself for industrial investment with more than 160 years of chemistry and manufacturing experience, specialized training at Lambton College, and a strong network of engineering and technical firms. The region highlights multi modal access to eastern North American markets within an eight-hour radius; learn more or contact Shauna Carr at shauna@sarnialambton.on.ca or visit the regional investment page.
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August newsletter release announcement
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has released the August SLEP Newsletter with regional news, investment and business updates, upcoming events, and opportunities. Subscribe at https://bit.ly/SLEPNewsletter to get the monthly roundup delivered to your inbox.
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Advanced manufacturing strengths and assets in Sarnia-Lambton
Sarnia-Lambton is one of Ontario’s strongest advanced manufacturing regions, anchored by oil, gas, and refining supply chains and a diverse manufacturing cluster. With Lambton College training, a research park for pilot testing, an industrial alliance of more than 35 firms, and a 26.7-kilometre Oversized Load Corridor, the region offers infrastructure and workforce strengths for companies looking to scale production and access 140 million consumers within a day’s drive.
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Civic Holiday office closure
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership will be closed Monday, August 3, 2026 for the Civic Holiday, a day to recognize community contributions. Regular office hours resume on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, so plan visits or inquiries for after that date.
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Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) wage subsidy
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce Talent Opportunities Program offers employers wage subsidies of up to 50% of wages, capped at $5,000, for qualifying co op and internship placements. The Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership points employers to the official application page at occ.ca for eligibility details and next steps.
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National Intern Day recognition
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership celebrated National Intern Day on 2026-07-30, thanking summer students for supporting projects and building new skills across the organization. The short, appreciative post highlights the energy and ideas interns bring and underscores the value of internship programs in the local community.
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Sarnia-Lambton participation in Ontario Hydrogen advocacy and infrastructure discussions
Sarnia-Lambton joined industry and provincial partners in Toronto for the Canadian Hydrogen Association Ontario Advocacy Day on July 30, 2026, with Economic Development Officer Shauna Carr representing the region. The visit included a public tour of the Carlsun Energy hydrogen fueling station supplied with hydrogen produced in Sarnia and a demonstration of Elemental Trucks' hydrogen powered long haul truck, reinforcing the region's role as Ontario's Hydrogen Hub.
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Sarnia-Lambton workforce overview and partnership update
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership presents a workforce overview that emphasizes talent across petrochemical, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and health care, with Cari Meloche outlining employer-driven program alignment. The update highlights tight collaboration with Lambton College, local school boards, and Employment Ontario service providers, and points readers to www.sarnialambton.on.ca/work-here for programs and resources.
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Sarnia-Lambton sustainable chemistry cluster overview
Sarnia-Lambton leverages a century of chemistry and industrial infrastructure to build a hybrid sustainable chemistry cluster that supports biofuels, renewable chemicals, and sustainable materials. The region pairs pipelines, storage, and logistics with local feedstocks such as corn and wheat straw and research assets like the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park to speed commercialization. Learn more at the regional sustainable chemistry page.
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Inturn Business Support feature
Meet Jaxon Hudie, founder of Inturn Business Support, a local venture reducing operational strain for small businesses and nonprofits while training students through its Inturnal Team. Jaxon is participating in the 2026 Summer Company Program, funded by the Province of Ontario; follow @inturnbusinesssupport or visit www.inturnsupport.com to learn more.
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Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) Funding
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative offers repayable funding from $125,000 to $10 million and non repayable funding from $125,000 to $1 million for businesses affected by tariffs, delivered by FedDev Ontario. Sarnia Lambton businesses can use the program self assessment tool and contact the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership at contact@sarnialambton.on.ca or 519-332-1820 for help navigating supports.
